PURPOSE: To provide an antibacterial agent having extremely strong antibacterial effect on bacteria, especially indigenous pathogenic bacteria on the skin and cariogenic bacteria, free from toxicity and stimulation and useful for the maintenance of the health of human and animal.
CONSTITUTION: An acid-hydrolyzed lactoferrin free from iron-bonding activity is used as an active component of the objective antibacterial agent. An agent such as solution, powder, sol, gel, emulsion or wax containing ≥0.001wt.% (preferably 0.01-0.1wt.%) of the acid-hydrolyzed lactoferrin is applied to the skin by coating, rubbing or spraying (in the form of aerosol). Any kind of lactoferrin of arbitrary origin may be used as a material for the acid-hydrolyzed product. For example, lactoferrin produced by tissue culture, chemical synthesis or gene recombination can be used for the purpose. The hydrolyzed product is produced by partially hydrolyzing the lactoferrin with an acid at 80-100°C for an extremely short time to an extent to eliminate the iron-bonding capability.
CHIKAMATSU YOSHIHIRO
ANDO HIROSHI
